The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-21
SLACK AND PETIT.
"Reminiscences of Their Joint Canvass for
CONGRATULATIONS Politics.

"reminiscences of Their Joint Canvass for
Congress-Old-Time Politics.
Huntington News Express.
Probably no two men in the Wabash valley
We're conspicuous in their lives as Judge
John U. Petit, of Wabash, and Gen. James r.
Slack, of this city. They were warm personal
friends. but almost life time political opponents.
Both became actively identified with politics in
1854 when they were rival candidates for Con-
gress Judge Petit was the nominee of the
newly organized Republican party and the
"tidal wave" of that year, together with his
great personal popularity, carried him through
successfully, ms ma jority being nearly 1000 in
district which two wears before gave handsome
Democratic majority. At that time joint de-
bates the rule throughout the district, and
the Judge and General met frequently. They
would start in canvass together, oftentimes in
the Same buggy. Upon reaching their appoint
ments. they would separate, and placing them
selves in the hands of their adherents meet upon
the rostrum and berate each other soundly, driv
ing off to the next appointment in company.
The district was known as the old Saddle Bags
district" and extended nearly half way across
the State, from Hamilton to Adams county.
AT one of their stopping places in Hamilton
county Petit was invited to take supper and
abide for the night with an old Quaker one of
the most pronounced opponents of slavery
Petit Informed the old gent, in his peculiarly
courteous manner, that his friend and political
opponent, DIT Slack, was with him and had no
place to stay. The announcement was not.
pleasant one to the Quaker, but, of course, he
offered Slack his hospitality. That evening a
friend of the bost called to see Petit The in
PRODUCTION was cordial. Nehemiah" said the
host, ''this is our friend John u Petit of
whom thee has heard me speak" Petit
and Nehemiah grasped and shook each
others hands warmly. Turning then toward
Slack. who stood uneasily by. the host simply
indicating his presence with his thumb, tersely
remarked, 'that's Slack" Nehemiah coldly
nodded and echoed SLACK, but no Handwriting
Yves INDUCED in But Petit was rot always the
favorite. Slack especially strong among the
boys, and was pretty well acquainted along the
line of the old canal Arriving at station
where some sixty of the boys" were congre-
gated, Slack proposed debate, and mounting
an old tanning mill oosened the eagle, and amid
the heartiest cheers delivered a rip-roarng speech
ofnearly an hour. He introduced no one to Petit
however, and he was a decidedly superhnous
spectator. Finishing his speech, Slack said:
ssBoys. there's a fellow here who wants to make
speech He is running for Congress, too If
any OF you want TO stay and hear him. all
right the balace of US will go and take a
drink" Fifty OF the audience accepted the
invitation, and only three remained to hear
Petit.
In these days such guerrilla canvass would
hardly be tolerated, and would lead to personal
enmity Not so then. however. 1t was give
and take and neither party held any grudge to-